NHL Weekender: Kings, Avs pushing their way into the postseason
At the end of every workweek, Yardbarker takes a look at what the NHL has in store for the weekend. We'll see whose stock is soaring, who needs to get their acts together and what tilts promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. In this week's edition, the fight for a playoff spot continues to be tight and two players make NHL history.
Who's on fire
Last week, we noted that the Capitals had work to do in order to turn a disappointing 4-6-1 line around. They did just that this week, notching three victories in a row to retake the lead in the Metropolitan Division. However, the big winner this week is the team in Columbus. The Blue Jackets have won six straight on their current hot streak and can make it seven in a row when they host the downtrodden Ottawa Senators Saturday.
Meanwhile in the Western Conference, even more teams have thrust themselves into the fight for a playoff spot. Not only did the Los Angeles Kings wedge their way into the third-place slot in the Pacific, but the Colorado Avalanche have moved into the Wild Card race. Will the Avs stay hot after three straight wins? They'll have to get through the Central-leading Nashville Predators Friday night if they want to stay in the conversation.
Who's on a skid
With CBJ at the doorstep, the Philadelphia Flyers need to solidify their play more than ever. They've lost seven out their last eight tilts, including Thursday's 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jackets. They have opportunities to turn things around with two games this weekend, although Sunday's matchup with the Capitals won't be easy.
The Anaheim Ducks lost three straight before a 3-0 victory over the Canucks on Wednesday, and as a result, they've been bumped from third place in the Pacific to outside of the playoff bubble. The Ducks can gain some momentum if they can defeat the Red Wings at home Friday night, however. It will be Detroit's second game in two nights after losing 4-1 to the Kings Thursday.
Milestone tracker
Both big milestones that we hinted at last Friday came to fruition this week in the hockey world. Alex Ovechkin was kept off the scoreboard over the weekend but found the back of the net twice against the Winnipeg Jets Monday to notch his 599th and coveted 600th NHL career goals. The following day, Marc-Andre Fleury punched his own ticket into history when he registered his 400th NHL career victory, his 25th victory of this resurgent season in Vegas.
Quotable
Patrik Laine, the young star for the Jets, was on the ice when his hero, Ovechkin, scored his 600th NHL goal. When asked about the milestone goal after the bout, the young Finn had an equally memorable answer.
"I was pretty close watching it... I was in a good spot — just behind him. I was there when he made history, so I can maybe watch that someday and show that I was there getting the minus on the ice," Laine said with post-game pizza in hand.
What to watch this weekend
Saturday, Bruins at Lightning, 7 p.m. EST, NESN, SunS
The two best teams in the Eastern Conference finally square off this season, with all three games in their season series coming during the pivotal final stretch leading up to the 2018 playoffs. The Bolts have maintained their first-place status in the Atlantic for the duration of the 2017-18 campaign, but the Bruins have continued to gain momentum and close the points gap between them.
Both teams are coming off of strong stretches, despite both registering losses in their most recent games. Both squads also have skill up and down the ice, so it's anyone's guess how these team's will match up against each other. If nothing else, this should be a tight-checking and fast-paced game that could be a preview of what's to come this postseason.
More must-reads: